Kunle Adelabu
The Permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, has commended members of the Oriwu Club in Ikorodu for supporting the government in providing relief for residents to mitigate their sufferings during the ongoing lockdown.
The exco members of the prestigious club, led by the President, Professor Adebayo Ninalowo who is also the Chairman, Governing Council of the Lagos State University (LASU), distributed food items to hundreds of residents that besieged the Club House along Ikorodu – Shagamu, Ikorodu on Thursday, April 30, 2020.
Parts of the food items were also taken to the palaces of Oba Shotobi, Oba Bashir Sotonwa, Sekumade of Ipakodo and Oba Semiudeen Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, for onward distribution to residents.
At the Ayangbure palace, Oba Shotobi, who is equally a member and life patron of the club, commended members of the club for providing relief for the people in support of the government’s efforts.
“I appreciate the gesture of Oriwu Club in supporting the efforts of the government by providing food items for the people.
“The intervention provided by the club is commendable. I really want to commend the members of the club for their solidarity”, Oba Shotobi said.
Oba Ayangbure, while explaining that he witnessed COVID-19 pandemic ravaging states in America before he returned to Nigeria in March, stated that the virus is real and deadly.
“With what I have seen and what we seeing now, I can confirm that COVID – 19 is real”.
He also stated that the government of Lagos State deserves commendations for its proactiveness in responding to the outbreak of the pandemic.
“The governor deserves commendations for taken decision immediately. It is because of his proactiveness that we have been able to contain the spread of the virus in the state”, the royal father commended Governor Sanwo-Olu.
“Those that played with it (Coronavirus) are now seeing its devastating effects”.
He told the eminent members of the club that the traditional institution in Ikorodu has also performed necessary ‘Etutu’ (sacrifices) to ward off the pandemic and appease the gods of the land the way their forefathers did.
While stating that residents of his kingdom still need support, Oba Shotobi called on the people to continue to support government by adhering to the measures stipulated in containing the spread of Coronavirus.
“We must support the government by ensuring that we adhere strictly with measures stipulated to contain the spread of COVID – 19 such as keeping social distance.
“We should also not go out except it is absolutely necessary”, he advised.
“Our personal hygiene is also very important for the containment of the virus”.
Earlier, the President of Oriwu Club, Prof Ninalowo, while addressing Oba Shotobi, stated that the gesture of the club was to support the efforts of the state in reducing the burden of the lockdown on the people.
The University don stated that the club deemed it necessary to brief the monarch about the club’s distribution of the food items to the residents and also receive his royal blessings.
“lt is important that we must inform the palace, carry the monarch along and receive royal blessings from Kabiyesi (royal father). That’s why we are here today”, Prof Ninalowo said.
“We are here to give Kabiyesi feedback regarding the distribution of the food items by our club.
“ln support of the Laos State Government, members of Oriwu Club decided to purchase food items for distribution to residents.
“We started the distribution of the non-perishable items at our Club House.
“There is so much hunger in the land because we discovered that people were just trooping in. It was a mammoth crowd at the club house”, Professor Ninalowo stated dejectedly.
Other officers and members in the entourage of the club during the marathon distribution exercise were of the other members in attendance were Alhaji Ajibola Dawodu, Vice-Chairman, Engr. Kayode Anibaba, immediate past President, Chief Niyi Banjoko, Mr Gbolahan Dixon, Publicity Secretary, Engr. G.O. Saka, Mr Taiwo Sebioba, Financial Secretary, Chief Monzor Olowosago, Publisher, Oriwu Sun, Mr Nusi Lawal, Treasurer, Mr Demilola Shitta and Barr.Sina Somi Jayesimi.
